Saddam again ejected from courtroom

Published September 26th, 2006 - 11:45 GMT

Saddam Hussein and a co-defendant were ejected from their genocide trial following heated arguments with the chief judge Tuesday.

Saddam Hussein and a co-defendant were ejected from their genocide trial following heated arguments with the chief judge Tuesday. Saddam was removed, then his former defense minister, Sultan Hashim Ahmad al-Tai, was ejected for shouting at judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa for throwing out the former president.

According to the AP, the outburst started when Saddam refused to remain silent after repeated requests by the head of the five-member panel. "You are a defendant and I'm the judge," al-Khalifa said, telling Saddam to sit down. Saddam refused and continued talking, even though the judge shut off court microphones.

Saddam's six co-defendants then began shouting. "Shut up! No one may speak!" al-Khalifa shouted.

"The court decided to eject Saddam Hussein from the courtroom," al-Khalifa added.

Saddam left with a smile.

The other defendants stood up in protest and demanded they leave too, but the judge refused.